Buzz
Humans have always had a propensity to categorize themselves, starting with basic family groups and tribes, later expanding to encompass nationalities, races, ethnicities, and broader social constructs of civilization. Another deeply ingrained human trait is creativity, and as a result, it is not surprising that much energy has been devoted to inventing offensive terms for one another.
10. 'Cracker'
While many believe the word “cracker” originated from Southern plantation owners (who cracked whips), the history is more nuanced. In the 18th century United States, the term referred to impoverished whites in Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia, who often used whips to herd livestock. Eventually, “cracker” came to describe the lower class, criminals, or people of Scots-Irish ancestry. Interestingly, the term dates back to the 16th century, when it referred to a boastful braggart. Shakespeare even used it in *King John*: “What craker is this same that deafs our ears with this abundance of superfluous breath?”
This phrase seemingly made its way to the Americas, where it was used to describe a particular group of people. A 1766 letter referred to them as “great boasters [and] a lawless set of rascals” living on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, often moving from place to place. The term was generally used to characterize Scots-Irish immigrants who were seen as unruly. One Florida governor reportedly said: “We don’t know what to do with these crackers—we tell them to settle this area and they don’t; we tell them not to settle this area and they do.”
In the late 19th century, Northern Americans began calling Southern settlers “crackers,” a term that carried connotations tied to slavery, even though most of the descendants of the original “crackers” did not own slaves. By this time, however, descendants of Scots-Irish immigrants had started to embrace the term, associating it with unique cultural, culinary, and architectural traits. Georgia even became known as the “Cracker State.” It wasn't until the 1940s that the term began to be used to describe bigoted white people in general. Some believe it may have been popularized by African-Americans during the Great Migration, as they moved north and west.
9. 'Kaffir'
The term “kaffir,” commonly used as a derogatory label in South African English, comes from the Arabic word qafr, meaning “nonbeliever.” It was first used by Arab traders in Africa and India to describe local non-Muslims. The word comes from kafara, meaning “to cover,” implying that non-Muslim Africans were hiding or ignoring the truth of a single god. This term was much harsher than the English word “pagan,” as it could be translated as “concealer” or “denier,” indicating someone who rejected belief despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
While the Arabic term could be applied to any nonbeliever regardless of race, later Portuguese explorers, slavers, and merchants operating on the East African coast began to use it to refer to all black Africans, though they spelled it cafre. This spread to other colonial powers, where it was adopted in South Africa as a pejorative word for black people. Some later began to use the term specifically to describe the Xhosa people south of the Natal region. By the 20th century it was considered a general pejorative. “Kaffir” was also used in India to describe the hill tribes of the northwestern frontier.
Though this etymology is well-accepted, not everyone was convinced. South African satirist Herman Charles Bosman was one such rebel, although his reasoning is problematic in itself: “The etymologists’ tame derivation of the word ‘kaffir’ from the Arabic for ‘unbeliever’ must be rejected by anybody with a feeling for the significance of words. It is a strong, florid word, broad as the African veld, and in its disyllabic vehemence is a depth of contumely that I am sure no Arab would ever be able to think up.”
8. ‘Kike’
The common 20th-century pejorative word for Jews entered American English as early as 1914 in New York but would not appear in the Oxford dictionary until 1961. Prior to that, “kike” was only listed as an alternative spelling for the Scottish/Northern English dialect word “kick” or “keek,” meaning “to peep” or “to glance.”
The derogatory term “kike” seems to have its roots in the United States, likely originating from Yiddish. One theory suggests it was first used by German Jews who had integrated into American society to describe newer Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Many Ashkenazic surnames ended in “-ski” or “-sky,” and the theory posits that these immigrants were mocked by being called “ki-ki,” which later evolved into “kike” and was applied to Jews in general by anti-Semites. This idea was proposed by linguist J.H.A. Lacher, who claimed to have heard it from Jews of German descent, who believed the business practices, standard of living, and culture of these Russian immigrants were “far lower than theirs.”
Another, perhaps more plausible theory, holds that Eastern European Jewish immigrants arriving at Ellis Island were often illiterate or unfamiliar with the Latin alphabet. Unable to sign their names on immigration documents, they would instead mark a circle, or “O.” This mark, called a *kikel* or *kikeleh* (“little circle”) in Yiddish, was a rejection of the “X,” a symbol tied to Christianity and the brutal Roman execution method. Instead, they chose to mark their identity with this distinctive symbol.
Jewish shopkeepers in New York’s Lower East Side and Jewish traveling salesmen across the United States, who relied on credit for their business, would also mark payments in account books with these circles. Over time, both immigration officials and customers in the Midwest began referring to Jews as “kikes,” and the term spread throughout the rest of society. The Yiddish origin of the term was soon forgotten.
7. Jjanggae and Gaoli Bangzi
In Korea, the term *jjanggae* is a common pejorative used to refer to Chinese people, often translated as “chink” in English. It is frequently used to describe citizens of China, Taiwan, ethnic Chinese Koreans, and even Chinese or Korean-Chinese cuisine. The word is derived from the Chinese *zhanggui*, which means “shopkeeper,” but is an outdated term, similar to the English “barkeep” (meaning “bartender”). The theory suggests that Korean patrons at Chinese restaurants would overhear staff referring to the restaurant owner as *zhanggui*, which eventually became the derogatory term *jjanggae* in Korean, taking on negative connotations over time. The term may also refer to boxes used by Chinese merchants to collect money during the Japanese colonial era.
The Chinese, in turn, refer to Koreans as *gaoli bangzi*, a term which the *New York Times* translated as 'Korean hicks.' *Gaoli* is a reference to the ancient Korean kingdom of Goryeo, which existed from the 10th to the 14th century and was allied with the Tang dynasty. *Bangzi* literally means 'stick' and is believed to refer to the period of Japanese occupation in Manchuria and the Shandong Peninsula. While Japanese police were armed with guns, Korean police working for the Japanese were reportedly given only batons, which were used to beat Chinese citizens. Some believe this term also harkens back to when the Sui dynasty invaded Goryeo, with Koreans defending themselves using sticks. Others suggest the term originated during the Japanese occupation, where Korean immigrants were metaphorically used as 'batons' to keep the Chinese in line.
6. Farang
Many foreigners visiting Thailand assume that *farang* is a derogatory term, though it’s not typically used as such. Foreign residents of Thailand sometimes insist on using more neutral terms like *khon tang chat* or *khon tang prathet*, meaning 'foreigner' or literally 'person from a different country.' While many Thais maintain that *farang* is neutral in nature, others argue it is often used negatively. The word could perhaps be best understood as meaning 'barbarian,' though most Thais use it casually to describe Western foreigners.
There are various folk etymologies related to the term. Some believe it comes from *farangseet*, the Thai word for the French, but *farang* predates European contact in Southeast Asia. The word more likely originates from the Arabic *firinjia*, which was used to refer to the Franks and later to Western Europeans in general during the Crusades. Versions of this word spread through trade to languages as diverse as Greek (*frangos*, *firanja*) and Vietnamese (*pha-rang*, *pha-lang-xa*).
Initially used in Thailand to describe the Portuguese, *farang* eventually came to refer to all Western Europeans. Interestingly, it also serves as the word for 'guava,' a fruit introduced from the Americas by the Portuguese. The guava was likely originally called *kluai farang* ('Frankish banana'). The term *farang* can also be found in names of other foods, such as 'potato' (*man farang* or 'Frankish tuber'), 'asparagus' (*naw maai farang* or 'Frankish bamboo shoots'), and 'parsley' (*phak chii farang* or 'Frankish cilantro').
5. Rosbifs And ‘Frogs’
The long-standing rivalry between England and France gave rise to some curious and offensive terms that each country used for the other: *les rosbifs* and 'the frogs.' Originally, *rosbif* referred to the English practice of roasting beef. Linguistics expert Professor Richard Coates from Sussex University explained to the BBC, 'Rosbifs became a mark of the Englishman as far as the French were concerned in the 18th century, simply because it was a very popular way of cooking. That style began to apply to other meats cooked in the same way, so you would also have ‘rosbif de mouton’ and that sort of thing.' By the 1850s, the term began to be applied to the English themselves, though it was generally not seen as offensive.
The term 'frog' in reference to the French may seem like it comes from their consumption of frog legs, but the insult actually predates that association. It was initially used for the Jesuits and the Dutch, who were derogatorily compared to frogs due to their perceived 'marsh-dwelling' nature. It wasn't until after 1805 that the term began to be directed at the French, who were considered national enemies at the time. This association was likely solidified by the French custom of eating frog legs, as well as the fleur-de-lis, which some believed resembled 'three frogs or toads saluting.'
4. Terrone
The slur *terrone* originates from the Italian word *terra* meaning 'earth,' and is often used by Northern Italians to refer to both Southern Italians and African immigrants. The term translates to 'people of dirt' or 'the dirt beneath one's feet,' and gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s as Northern Italy rapidly industrialized. This era saw many Southerners moving north in search of work. Gregory Pell explains that the term 'implies backwardness and primitiveness... it alludes to a notion of the South being a third-world culture, compared to the first-world industrial society of Northern Italy.'
When African immigrants began arriving in Italy, the term was also applied to them, particularly as many newcomers took up agricultural work in the South. This coincided with the far-right notion that Northern Italians were descendants of the 'industrious' Celts, while the 'lazy and agrarian' South was associated with the ancient Greeks and Etruscans. As a result, both Southern Italians and Africans were cast as inferior and subhuman by Northern supremacists. One common term used by Northern Italians for Southern Italians is *africani*. In addition, new slurs specific to immigrants have appeared, such as *marocchini* (referring to both Arabs and sub-Saharan Africans) and *sottoterrone* (meaning 'sub-dirt beneath one's feet').
3. ‘Foreign Devil’
In the Chinese language, 'Gui,' meaning 'devil,' was associated with strong negative imagery. Early encounters with European explorers led the Chinese to perceive their physical features—such as their pale skin, high noses, narrow mouths, deep-set eyes, and unusual hair colors—as resembling the mythical monsters found in ancient Chinese folklore. After the Opium Wars, this term gained political weight and was frequently used as a tool for nationalistic rhetoric during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The term 'gui,' or 'devil,' had a deeply sinister meaning in ancient Chinese culture. When Europeans first arrived, the Chinese often saw their physical traits—such as their pale faces, sharp noses, and deep eyes—as eerily similar to the grotesque creatures from their own myths. Following the Opium Wars, the term became more widely used, especially as a form of political weapon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
During the Boxer Uprising, an influential political manifesto known as the 'Sacred Fist' was published. It contained a provocative proclamation that encapsulated the widespread sentiment of the time.
'The devil’s eyes were blue... Wiping them out is a breeze... France is desolate, and Britain and Russia are in despair... The foreign devils are at their breaking point... The Great Qing Empire will rule the land.'
The term 'Gui' was later applied to foreigners in various contexts, including foreign diplomats, who were sometimes referred to as 'devil-diplomats,' and even currency that depicted the portraits of foreign monarchs, which were mockingly called 'devil heads.'
In mainland China, the term 'yangguizi' was gradually replaced with more neutral expressions like 'waiguoren' (meaning 'foreign person') or 'laowai' (literally 'old foreign'), the latter of which carries a somewhat positive connotation. In Hong Kong, the term 'gweilo,' which translates as 'ghost man' but originates from the same Chinese characters as 'guizi,' continues to be used, though the government has been attempting to reduce its usage through anti-racism legislation.
In Singapore, the equivalent phrase was the Hokkien term 'ang mo kwuy,' meaning 'red-haired devil,' historically used to refer to Caucasians. This term has since been shortened to 'ang mo' ('red-haired'), which is less overtly offensive. Interestingly, it might have inspired the name of Singapore's Ang Mo Kio district, which can be interpreted as 'Caucasian Bridge' or 'Red-Haired Bridge.'
2. Pindos
In Russia, the term 'Pindos' is often used to refer to Americans, with its plural form being 'pindoses.' The United States itself is sometimes called 'Pindostan' or 'Pindosia.' The term is widely found on the Russian Internet, particularly in discussions about disliked US companies or politicians. The origins of the term are not completely clear, but it was initially used to describe a type of pony found in the Pindos Mountains of Greece. By the 19th century, it began to be applied to Greeks from the Azov and Black Sea regions.
Throughout the 20th century, the word 'Pindos' was used in various contexts, sometimes to describe homosexuals or black people, or as a general insult, especially by military personnel. One theory suggests that the term comes from the Spanish word 'pendejo' (meaning 'idiot'). However, the most widely accepted explanation is that it entered the Russian language through Serbian during the Kosovo War, when Serbs described US peacekeepers, loaded with heavy gear, as resembling penguins, with the British being referred to as half-penguins. Russian soldiers reportedly picked up this term from the Serbs and popularized it back in Russia.
The issue with this etymology is that the Serbian word for penguin is actually 'pingvan,' not 'pindos.' The truth may be closer to the speculation offered in The Moscow Times: 'It seems like it was a word in search of a definition. It has a richly obscene, vaguely comical, and highly derogatory sound.'
1. 'Wop'
The term 'Wop,' primarily used in the United States to refer to people of Italian descent, is often associated with various incorrect etymologies circulating on the internet. One such claim suggests it comes from 'Without Papers' or 'Without Passport,' supposedly used by immigration officials at Ellis Island to mark those lacking proper documentation. However, this theory doesn't hold up, as the term 'Wop' was recorded as early as 1908, long before immigration papers became mandatory in 1918.
The term 'Wop' actually originates from the Sicilian and Neapolitan slang word 'guappo,' which means 'thug' or 'gangster.' 'Guappo' may have derived from the Spanish adjective 'guapo,' meaning 'bold,' during the time of Spanish rule over Southern Italy. This Spanish term itself came from the Latin 'vappa,' which referred to 'sour wine' and was used by the Romans to describe a 'worthless person' or 'loser.'
Southern Italian immigrants in the US used the word 'guappo' within their community, but it took on a negative connotation when it was adopted by other Americans and transformed into 'wop.' By the 1890s, it was being used not only to refer to Italians but also to Italian restaurants ('wop-house'), dishes like spaghetti ('wop-special'), and even to Italy itself ('Wopland'). It gained wider recognition in English-speaking cultures, possibly popularized by early sound films, and was commonly found in English-language newspapers during World War II.
